A night of reflection, celebration, and storytelling unfolded as community members gathered for the private screening of I Was Who I Was Waiting For, a documentary that showcased Bakersfield’s resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic on March 27 at Maya Cinemas in Bakersfield, CA.
The documentary, directed by Aurora Brachman, features Community Interventions, a Bakersfield group that helped ensure fair vaccine access during COVID-19. It honors frontline organizations and their sacrifices.
The documentary also honored Bakersfield’s efforts and the work of 400+ groups across California in providing vaccines, food, and health support during the pandemic. Which reached 12 million people and led to nearly 6 million vaccine referrals.
After the film showing a discussion panel took place, featured the voices behind the documentary, including Ucedrah Osby, founder and executive director of Community Interventions; Ryan Roberson, a longtime community advocate; Vina Cesareo, a mother and program participant; Aurora Brachman, an Emmy-winning filmmaker; and Jennifer Williams-Cordova, a local artist whose work was central to the initiative.
Osby spoke about the hardships marginalized communities faced during the peak of COVID-19.
“Life was difficult with so many uncertainties, so many continued denials for equity,” she said. “But we came together. We hit the streets, we knocked on doors, and we provided over 10,000 vaccines across Kern County.”
Roberson shared the difficulties of combatting misinformation. “There was so much misinformation out there,” he said. “We walked through neighborhoods we grew up in, talking to people in their languages, making sure they had the facts.”
For Cesario, the pandemic brought a personal tragedy. The loss of her son, Octavio, who passed away due to COVID-19.
In the documentary, she spoke about the pain and isolation she experienced in the aftermath of his death, struggling to cope with her grief.
“I didn’t want to talk to anyone,” she said. “But Community Interventions reached out, invited me to their program, and gave me a space where I could heal.”
Cesario said she found support through Community Interventions, which invited her to a program called Locking Her Power. At first hesitant to leave her home, she eventually attended and discovered a space where she could express her emotions freely. Surrounded by women who simply listened without judgment, she felt a sense of relief and connection.
An art exhibit showcasing pandemic-era works was also announced during the event, set to open in Sacramento. Which featured artists Jennifer Williams Cordova, creator of Bakersfield’s Love and Action Mural, and Aurora Brockman.
Bakersfield artist Jennifer Williams Cordova’s Love in Action mural honored those impacted by the pandemic and urged public safety, featuring faces of local community members.
Filmmaker Aurora Brockman said art and storytelling played an important role in fighting misinformation.
“People within their own communities know what they need most,” she said. “Visual storytelling helps bridge gaps in understanding and builds trust in ways that official statements often can’t.”
As the conversation shifted to the future, Osby mention the need for continued support of community-led efforts.
“Health and racial equity are our top priorities,” Osby said. “We’re working to protect healthcare access and empower young leaders to have a voice in decision-making.”
The event ended with a call to action to be involved within the community. “You don’t need permission to share your story,” Brockman said. “You already have the tools.”
